“What was the purpose of being in love, if it didn’t make you feel like you were flying high?”
Thank you to the publisher for this ARC!
I want to start with the positives of this book, because I do have a few!
Constance says, “in some messed up way, my ex boyfriend had led me to the greatest professional opportunity.” This book is tagged in multiple genres such as Adult fiction, mystery/thrillers (which i am BIG on), and women’s fiction. I think this book was mostly great on the women’s fiction part. For example, this quote and her situation shows that although she was hurt and went through a lot (more in depth in the novel), that women don’t need their relationships with men to work out, no matter how important it is to them—a man’s absence in your life can bring more presence than you could ever need. The women in this novel were strong, smart women (mostly) who were NOT stuck up on old loves and romances or desperately throwing themselves at men’s feet (for the most part) and worked hard in Hollywood to put THEMSELVES at the top, as a woman should. respectable.
“i felt the urge to unleash all my frustrations, to go on a rant about the hell that awaits women who don’t support other women.” This book brings so much feminist ethics and morality into play in the narration that really causes a woman to sit back and think for a moment and revel in its truth. Admirable.
I also really enjoyed Liza’s small betrayal (that I won’t get into because it’s a tiny spoiler). I think it was a great portrayal of real Hollywood business and how women just want to be on top in Hollywood, because they have to work twice as hard. The cutthroat gossip and betrayals are so real and surprising.
I also liked the plot twist between Ben and what happened with Marnie (spoiler so i can’t explain) and it really did shock me. it was so interesting and shows that a man will really throw under the bus any woman, even a long term partner, just for their own success—especially in Hollywood, or when they’re deep in failure. or both.
Now, don’t get me wrong, as for some negative aspects: I really disliked that Marnie was lying to Ben. Everyone (according to the novel) knows how horrible Ben is at writing and her thought process is: “If my long term boyfriend is so passionate about this, then i’ll just lie to him to stroke his ego and maybe he’ll give up,” which inherently defies the thought process in the average man looking for a spot in Hollywood film business, even if it’s a career behind the screen. It made literally zero sense and I had to pause reading for an hour just because of how irritating her mind is.
I also disliked some of the phrasing such as the reference to the “Since you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take,” etc. Nothing was surprising about the plot until about 25% of the book was over, and even then, it was just petty little social plot twists, and the main plot had just started. It was a lot of background setup for the first quarter of the book, which felt dragged on.
I also disliked Constance chasing down Dorian at the restaurant he posted at because she wanted a chance with her celebrity crush. You have a 20 year age gap. Leave him alone. (For the people that will have read this book: I know. But still. She should’ve left him alone.) I felt embarrassed for her.
I think it shouldn’t be listed as a thriller. Adult Fiction, Women’s Fiction, and it’s bordering on mystery. Mystery, by definition, but not by piece.
I think if someone is picking this up looking for a similar vibe to Malibu Rising or The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, you’ll definitely (probably) love this book. For me, though, it dragged a bit and was not very turn-y or surprising. Or suspenseful.
There’s good aspects to every book, but it depends on the reader.